Overview
- The president approved the major disaster declaration on Oct. 27, unlocking federal public assistance for 15 counties hit by Hurricane Isaias.
- FEMA listed Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Wakulla, Walton and Washington as eligible for public assistance.
- The agency is still reviewing Florida’s separate request for individual assistance for Bay, Escambia, Gulf, Holmes, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton and Washington counties for nearly 1,000 damaged homes.
- Florida asked for about $237 million to cover debris removal, public infrastructure repairs and emergency protective measures but FEMA has not yet specified how much federal funding will be provided.
- A recent GAO report found large FEMA staff departures that have reduced institutional knowledge and could slow damage reviews and recovery work, leaving local officials to continue debris removal and power restoration while they wait for federal aid.